Many wonderful pastel pink, flat-topped flowers with green and burgundy cones track the sun like sunflowers. Tennessee coneflower is a great choice for hot dry sites that are difficult for other species. Compact, easy-to-grow, vigorous, and very floriferous. This endangered species may be grown in the same manner as other coneflowers by massing in the border, meadow, naturalized area or wildflower garden.

Benefits

Attracts butterflies in large numbers

Hummingbirds thrive on the sweet nectar

Finches crave its seed in the fall

Long blooming and a colorful cut flower

Drought tolerant once established

Looks terrific planted with native grasses

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Full sun in well drained soils. Prefers moist soils, but once established will tolerate dry soils. Does not benefit from additional fertility, which can cause weaker stems.

Height20-30 Inches

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8

Native Range

Federally endangered, it is currently only found in three counties in Tennessee.

Known only from five populations within a 14 mile radius in Middle Tennessee, it was the second plant listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June 1979. First listed in the Flora of Tennessee in 1906, the plant was thought to be extinct for half a century until it was rediscovered in 1968 in LaVergne (near Nashville). This site was destroyed by the construction of a trailer park in the 1970's.